As the dust begins to settle on a month of back-to-back international design shows, a mountain of moments from Milan Design Week have coalesced into a dreamy highlight reel.
After three long years away, the world’s largest contemporary furniture expo, Salone del Mobile.Milano, returned for a full-fledged celebration of its 60th edition. Despite higher temperatures than Salone’s usual April run, from June 7-12 over 260,000 visitors hiked across the expansive Fieramilano fairgrounds to survey the 2,175 brands exhibiting at the show. In town, 800+ design events of all shapes and sizes, known collectively as Fuorisalone, added to the revelry. A fervent energy abounded throughout the week as three years of ideas, conversations, and creativity amalgamated into a celebration of design that will not soon be forgotten. It felt good…and dare we say, normal?
Alongside an impressive emphasis on sustainability efforts and innovations, we also noticed a trend among brands who turned back the clock, rolling out reissues that play into the social media-fueled era of nostalgic design. Big name collaborations also garnered considerable attention, both on the ground in Milan and across the globe via Instagram posts and stories. Although it would be impossible to summarize all the incredible design that the week had to offer, we have put together a few lists of moments you won’t want to miss.
Alcova
Last but certainly not least, we dedicate our third and final roundup to Alcova. Developed by Studio Vedèt’s Valentina Ciuffi and Space Caviar’s Joseph Grima, Alcova temporarily activates neglected locations of historical significance throughout Milan as venues for exhibitions, installations, and performances. Since 2018, the exhibition has situated contemporary design within lush historical contexts, bringing together both emerging talent and well-established designers, artists, and architects for a yearly installation during Milan Design Week. After a successful show last September, the organization once again took over 37,000 square feet of semi-abandoned buildings and park space in the Inganni district of Milan, due west of the city center. Alcova felt more like an expedition, with design flooding the grounds as well as the space of a former nunnery, industrial laundry, medical facility, and a unique temple-like structure. Along the way we were met with familiar faces—OMA, Snøhetta, Sabine Marcelis, Lambert & Fils—and were blown away by the new names kicking up dust in the design industry—Refractory, The Back Studio, and Kickie Chudikova, just to name a few. A gorgeous conversation between contemporary design, traditional architecture, and the natural environment, the show was as memorable as its many incredible exhibitors.
Check out our favorites below.
ANDlight Vol. 22
Designers: Lukas Peet, Caine Heitzman
This is America
Designers and artists: Alara Alkan, Alexis Moran, Alexis Tingey, Bellafonté Studio, Forma Rosa Studio, Ginger Gordon, Jaeyeon Park, Jialun Xiong, Kate Greenberg, Ladies and Gentlemen Studio, Madeline Isakson, Monica Curiel, mym, Nifemi Ogunro, Studio Mano
Spoken Lines
Installation design: Amine El Gotaibi
Monumental Wonders
SolidNature x OMA + Sabine Marcellis
INSECTUM
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